Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
6 ratings

Friday - March 19, 2010

From: Denton, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Perennial vine for full sun, Denton, TX
Answered by: Amy Johnson

QUESTION:

I would like to grow a perennial vine that would tolerate full sun during the day. A flowering or non-flowering is fine. I do NOT want anything that is poisonous, i.e. Carolina jasmine, since this will be in a deep planter next to the front door.

ANSWER:

We found three vines that suit your requirements, and none of them have poisonous parts.

From our Native Plant Database: 

Bignonia capreolata (crossvine) - evergreen, reaching 50 ft. in length, blooms red, yellow March to May, low water use, sun or part shade

Lonicera albiflora (western white honeysuckle) -  4 ft., deciduous, blooms white March to May, sun or part shade

Passiflora incarnata (purple passionflower). - 12 to 36 ft., deciduous, blooms pink, blue, purple April to September, low water use, sun or part shade

From our Native Plant Image Gallery:


Bignonia capreolata

Lonicera albiflora

Passiflora incarnata
 

More Vines Questions

Finicky Trumpet Vine in Stockdale Texas
June 06, 2011 - I need help dealing with a very old trumpet vine. It was my grandmothers and she died in 79. It's always been beautiful till 99 when my grandmothers house burned down. It was right behind it. It cam...
view the full question and answer

Failure to thrive of passion flower in Tunbridge Wells England
April 08, 2013 - I planted my passion plant 3 years ago and I have really looked after it. I think this winter has killed it, it looks so dead. I hope it can be saved; there isn't one part of it that is looking healt...
view the full question and answer

Non-native Hyacinth Bean vine dying
June 17, 2008 - I live in Missouri and have tried to grow hyacinth bean. Mine drop leaves (after some yellow appears on on them)and the vine turns yellow, then withers to brown. Other places near me grow them beautif...
view the full question and answer

Propagation of trumpet vine
September 07, 2008 - We have a trumpet vine growing in our yard and a friend wants to grow one in her yard. Can we dry the seed pod out and use it to start a plant for next spring?
view the full question and answer

Low Ground Cover for Steep, Shaded PA Site
February 17, 2014 - I am located in Downingtown, PA, right on the border between Zone 6 and 7. Please provide a recommendation of a native ground cover for the following conditions: steep slope (greater than 45%), full s...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.